Support farmers in fodder production, MP urges govt
GULU-Aruu County Member of Parliament, Christopher Komakech wants government to support locals in Acholi Sub-region to produce fodder, saying it will help locals to have enough feed for their animals.
This comes at a time when the Sub-region is faced with an influx of cattle keepers who are looking for grazing fields.
In an interview with this reporter, Komakech said cattle keepers [Balalo] flock Acholi Sub-region because of its pasture which is suitable for milk production and fattening of animals.
The MP said government could support local farmers by teaching them the techniques of producing of fodder, which he said could be sold to large farms in the area. He said fodder production would be an additional income-generating activity for the farmers besides animal and crop production.
“Research by Nalukulongo Research Centre shows that the grass in Acholi is rich in legumes which are very good for milk and meat production. That’s why herders come here with their cattle in large numbers,” Komakech said.
“So, we are saying, instead of our people giving away their land cheaply, why not invest and support them to make fodder and supply the farms?” This way, we are financially empowering them [farmers],” Komakech noted.
Speaking during a recent regional tour, Tony Awany, the Nwoya County Member of Parliament said government has the capacity to train and support farmers in different agricultural practices to improve their lives.
Recently, livestock farmers from ten cattle corridor districts in central and western were retooled on pasture production and management to enhance their capacity to improve animal nutrition, farm yields, and profits.
The farmers attended lessons at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo [MUARIK] and conducted practical sessions at Robran Holdings Limited (RHL), in Buwanuka Wakiso district.
The training was organised under the Promote Supplementary Feeding (SUPPL-F) project. The SUPPL-F project is part of the Developing a Market–Oriented and Environmentally Sustainable Beef Meat Industry in Uganda [MOBIP] which is a Government of Uganda programme supported by the European Union [EU] under the overall supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF].
The project is implemented by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda [PSFU]. The trained farmers were expected to go out and train fellow farmers in their respective districts on how to produce and manage pasture for supplementary feeding.
According to The Chief Executive Officer Robran Holdings Limited who is also pasture seed producer and Animal nutritionist, Brian Natwijuka, pasture management should be thought of as grass farming.
“Think of the grasses as your crop, while you use animals to harvest. Many farms are not making profits because of poor nutrition to animals leading to less yield, with the use of quality pastures. You can increase yields on your farm, fattening animals faster and maximise profits,” Natwijuka said.
He said, there is need for farmers to produce and manage pasture for animal production because they have high ability to colonise the places where they are grown and possess high levels of required nutrients that are needed by animals for quick maturity, increased production, good health, and quality products.
https://thecooperator.news/prolonged-dry-spell-bothers-nwoya-livestock-farmers/
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